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CCTV footage released by gardaí Garda Press Office
Offaly
Gardaí release footage of fatal Edenderry arson that killed four-year-old boy and his great-aunt
Tadgh Farrell, aged 4, and his 60-year-old great-aunt Mary Holt were killed in the blaze.
LAST UPDATE | 10 Dec 2025
GARDAÍ HAVE RELEASED CCTV footage of a fatal arson attack on a house in Co Offaly last week in which two people were killed.
Tadgh Farrell, aged 4, and his 60-year-old great-aunt Mary Holt were killed in the blaze that occurred at 7.45pm in Castleview Park, Edenderry, on Saturday, 6 December.
In the video, two people can be seen launching the petrol bomb that killed Tadgh and Mary.
Gardaí have described the incident as “reckless and callous” and added that An Garda Síochána is keeping “an open mind as to the reasons and motives for this attack”.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan this week said one line of inquiry being pursued by gardaí was that the attack was “caused by people involved in the drugs trade”.
On Saturday, Tadgh was visiting his grandmother and grand-aunt Mary when the house was attacked.
The remains of Tadgh and his grandaunt Mary were discovered in the front room of the house where the fire was deliberately started.
Tadgh’s grandmother continues to receive hospital treatment for serious burn injuries.
Post-mortem examinations on the remains of Tadgh and Mary have been completed but the results are not being released for operational reasons.
An Garda Síochána, through family liaison officers, continue to liaise with and support the families of Tadgh and Mary at this time as they prepare for family funerals.
To date, the investigation team has carried out over 150 investigative jobs, carried out over 250 house to house enquiries, retrieved over 60 pieces of CCTV and taken over 100 written documents.
“Tadgh should be with his family today,” said a garda spokesperson.
“His grandaunt Mary should be working in a local nursing home where she worked for over 40 years helping her community.”
Speaking today, Chief Superintendent Anthony Lonergan added: “I want to reassure the community here in Edenderry and throughout Laois/ Offaly Division that I will ensure that An Garda Síochána is here to support you through this traumatic event.
“An Garda Síochána will identify all those responsible for the deaths of Tadgh and Mary and bring them before the courts.”
He also appealed to anyone with any information to speak with investigating gardaí.
The investigation team can be contacted at the incident room at Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station, in particular Edenderry Garda Station.
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